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Marine Naiad

Najas marina

Last reviewed: June 2026

Marine Naiad (Najas marina)
Photo: Johann Georg Sturm (Painter: Jacob Sturm) / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)

Light

part shade

Water

high

Size

4"–40" H

Bloom

Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep

Native to

AZ, CA, FL, IL and 14 more states

Browse plants for this ecoregion

Central California ValleyCentral California Foothills and Coastal MountainsCentral Basin and RangeMojave Basin and RangeChihuahuan DesertsSonoran Basin and Range

Marine naiad is a submerged aquatic plant that grows entirely underwater in lakes, ponds, and slow-moving streams. This annual plant produces small inconspicuous flowers and helps oxygenate water while providing habitat for fish and aquatic wildlife.

In an HOA neighborhood

Marine Naiad takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: low. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

  • Strictly aquatic plant unsuitable for typical residential landscaping
  • Requires permanent water feature or pond for survival
  • Not visible or functional in standard garden beds

Wildlife value

Provides critical habitat and food for waterfowl, fish, and aquatic invertebrates. The submerged foliage offers shelter for young fish and nesting sites for aquatic insects.

Native range data from the USDA PLANTS Database and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

Does Marine Naiad fit your yard? Open it in Pollinator Patch to check it against your sun, soil, and HOA-conscious filters.

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